To the Editor:
The purpose of this letter is to comment on "Our View" - The Karens come out for Gov. Pritzker.
Everyone wants to get back to not having to worry about the current public health protocols, but the threat of illness and death is real.
You make too light of the situation by trying to draw a bridge between the Governor's actions to the harpie squad, who are always with us, do not require any official mandate, and are not limited to one spot on the liberal-conservative line. You may be making a joke, but I missed the humor.
My knowledge of the harpies is limited to experiences of two women friends who were upbraided by "Karls" for coming within six feet of them, and to watching two young women acquaintances, both extremely conservative-concealed-carry MAGA-hat wearing guardians. Perhaps they are that way because they have families of children and old people that they are trying to protect.
I think Governor Pritzker is doing what he can to keep us alive. People who do not follow the masking and distancing guidelines are like the two kids in school who break the rules and the whole class gets detention. I do not look forward to detention for months more.
The tension between damage to the economy and damage to people is real and there is no simple solution. Killing your customers and employees is not a good business model. Dismissing the views of the health professionals as those of "Karens" is too smug and not at all helpful.
I ask you to consider pulling up your socks and getting serious.
Kathleen Schultz Mendez, Edwardsville